Metatarsal Fracture (Forefoot)

Your forefoot acts as a springboard with each step you take, and a cushion when your foot touches the ground. The metatarsal bones located in the forefoot bear and shift your body weight to help maintain balance. Jumping, twisting, dancing, and running add even more force to the forefoot, making the bones vulnerable to fracture from trauma and overuse. The majority of metatarsal fractures heal with non-surgical treatment. Fractures that require surgery have highly successful outcomes.

Introduction

Your forefoot acts as a springboard with each step you take, and a cushion when your foot touches the ground. The metatarsal bones located in the forefoot bear and shift your body weight to help maintain balance. Jumping, twisting, dancing, and running add even more force to the forefoot, making the bones vulnerable to fracture from trauma and overuse. The majority of metatarsal fractures heal with non-surgical treatment. Fractures that require surgery have highly successful outcomes.

Anatomy

Your forefoot (metatarsus) contains five long metatarsal bones. As a group, the metatarsal bones help raise and lower or twist your foot. They play a role in distributing your body weight and maintaining balance when you walk or stand.

Certain parts of the metatarsals have a better blood supply than others . Fractures in areas of poor blood supply have more difficulty healing. For example, a Jones Fracture is such a fracture near the base of the fifth metatarsal that commonly requires surgery.

Diagnosis

Treatment

The majority of metatarsal fractures are treated without surgery. You may need to wear a walking cast or rigid shoe. Some people may need to wear a cast and not put weight on their foot for several weeks while the fracture heals.

Surgery

Significant metatarsal fractures with a poor blood supply, or bones that have moved out of place may require surgery. Surgical hardware, such as a plate and screws are used to secure the bones in place. You may wear a short leg cast, brace, or rigid shoe for 6 to 8 weeks while the bones heal. Your doctor will check the healing process with X-rays and allow you to put more weight on your foot as the fracture heals.

Recovery

Recovery is individualized and depends on the location and extent of your injury, as well as the treatment that you received. Your doctor will let you know what to expect. Overall, metatarsal surgery has a high degree of success.

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on April 13th, 2016. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

TESTIMONIALS

"Everyone was very professional and friendly and caring!"

Ralph Nov. 2018

"Clean, professional, and attentive MRI experience."

John, Oct 2018

"Superb in all respects. I have been in all specialties; broken foot, bakers cyst on knee, shoulder injury and now a hip replacement. Even the Walk-in clinic is efficient. All the staff are professional and friendly. It is actually a happy place to visit. Dr. LaPorte fixed my shoulder after a fall on the ice, and Dr. Puckett has worked on both my hands. Thank you for such great care!"

Jim O, Nov. 2018

"My husband was treated with such care at the Urgent Care. It was a stressful time and everything went so smoothly. They worked hard to get the paper work needed for the appointment. The PA was so nice and understanding. Thank You!"

Anna Becker, August 2018

"I just wanted to thank Dr. Willstein for the outstanding job he did in replacing my knees in January 2017. I have had no problems and I am so happy the pain is gone. Everyone at Missoula Bone & Joint is to be commended for it's first class service. Thank you all!"

Bruce, Feb 2018

"Awesome experience at Missoula Bone & Joint. Unfortunate basketball injury caused us to be here. Complete ruptured achilles surgery. We were diagnosed in the morning by the doctor and in surgery in the afternoon. Surgical staff is first class .... explained the entire process and we were comforted in a difficult situation. Grateful for wonderful, exceptional healthcare in Missoula, MT."

Judy D. June 2018

"Joan Bond-Deschamps is extremely thorough, she covered everything, even questions I didn't think to ask. She was eager to solve my problems. I highly recommend MBJ for anyone needing orthopedic care."

Bill W. June 2018

"MBJ is the best Ortho Clinic in Montana! I live in Helena and drive the 238 miles round trip because I love this office."

Paula D, May 2018

"I was in for an MRI last week and always notice how happy folks are at MSO Bone and Joint, I have a chair in each department ... foot, knee, hand, shoulder. We are so fortunate to have such great health care in MSO."

A Frenchtown Family, Feb 2018

"I would like to say that I had a most excellent experience as a PT patient of Bob Botkin over the past few months. His dynamic, receptive, and intuitive approach to therapy was impressive and effective. I appreciate how I would admit to some pain that I was trying to power through, and he could explain why that was hurting me and adapt the therapy to avoid the pain. He has changed my perspective on exercise through said process of being in tune with pain and the biomechanics of my body."

Bradley Applegate, Feb 2018

"Out of 15 surgeries, this was my best experience with physical therapy ever! The whole staff is very friendly and courteous. Kailey and the rest listen to your concerns and are very knowledgable regarding your type of injury and make your rehab fun. I would highly recommend Missoula Bone & Joint P.T. for all your PT. needs."

What is Pain Management? People may think that pain management basically means that a provider gives a patient opioids and pain medication, and that is simply not true. In Pain Management we like to use all kinds of modalities to control pain. Such as injection therapy (epidurals), radio frequency, physical therapy, dry needling, all used…